BECAUSE a regular pair of vise grips OR channel locks ....jsta ain’t CUTTING IT!

Cable version is the best for various locations/orientations.

Amazon - Cable-Type Clamp Pliers

Damn GGC ! .., slick looking piece and reasonable price but my CarrotVan is tied up because of trying to work with and around these. ALSO some have said before TO BROOM these out in favor of the screw type.

What say U ?

To add ... if THESE clamps are the plan who handles these tools locally ?

I jsta checked OreillyAuto.. they have 2 styles NO PRICING or availability at my local store !!

What is with them not posting prices ?

I use ones like these. Mine are better quality but you get the idea. https://www.amazon.com/Pliers-Remov...&hvtargid=pla-634040664697&psc=1

Thx fir the links ... but the question still stands .... if you were RR a radiator.. would you broom this style and go with the screw type ?

Checked with O’Reilly.. 37 clams for the one that amazon wants 13 for !

Is this the demise of some brick and mortar?

It depends. I have reused them before many times but if they are weak or rusted then I would say no. When I bought new radiator hoses from mopar they came with new clamps so that may mean something. I don`t like screw clamps because the usually dig into the hose.

I don't like the way the screw clamps chew up the hose. The tools for the flat clamps like yours and the round wire Corbin clamps are readily available. Try the better auto parts stores for the pricier made in USA versions and the discount stores or Amazon or eBay for the cheaper copies made in you know where. The further away they are made the cheaper they are.

Or you could use Gates Power Grip clamps. They are heat shrink rings that you put on with a heat gun. Very smooth,. Nothing sticking out to cause blood leaks But they are a single use clamp. You have to cut them off. Not really suitible for on and off type applications.

Thx guyz ... I hear you on the digging in. But this reminds me of those high pressure fuel injection SCREW CLAMPS that didn’t dig in like you mentioned.....

My issue here is those OEM type clamps I have here won’t OPEN UP enough to slide much at all over the hose not to mention when it’s inserted over the male end ridge ...

Me too! Just replaced my '89 Toyota pickup 4-banger radiator. Thought I'd be cool and use the factory clamps instaed of the old corroded worm-drive screwdriver install clamps. The idea is constant tension which can accomodate swelling and shrinking with temperature. Tried using channelocks, but no go, even on top where I could get to it easily. I gave up and put the old clamps on. Man those Toyota clamps got some tension. I think it would be hard enough even with the special tool.

The factory style spring hose clamps put an even pressure on the hose under all temp ranges. As the metal expands from heat, the spring clamp flexes slightly and keeps a constant pressure. The worm gear clamps don't really do this. You tighten them up when the hose is cold. When the engine warms up and the metal expands, the clamp ends up being too tight and digs into the hose. While the spring clamps are more of a pain to work with, they are a superior clamp.

There might also be an issue with worm gear clamps and aluminum radiators. Since there is no flexing during temp changes, a worm gear clamp can potentially crack and aluminum rad nipple.

the biggest problem with using worm clamps, is guys tend to crank on them so they seal.
i use a nut driver and tighten them snug, not using a ratchet to tighten them until there are chunks of hose sticking out of the slots and the tail of the clamp is off center to the worm.

the tool goody linked to was interesting. i have never seen such an animal, and may just have to purchase something similar to see how it works. [especially keeping the clamp open while sliding the clamp up the hose to miss the retaining "bump" on the neck.]
as i have a generous selection of pliers, i have never had a clamp i couldn't remove. some have been real bastages !

DoC, i sure hope this adds to your repair knowledge when this episode is finally done !

oleHam2 ..... there beez a wealth of knowledge and experience here !

And YEAH I’m going to pick up one of those tools toooo .... BUT NOT at the price of almost 40 beans.

Btw ... that rad I pulled last nite/morning - what an interesting experience!

Couldn’t get at the rad clamp on the lower hose and had to pull it with the hose attached !

ALL THIS because the fan blades BLEW UP on the drivers side fan .... and some of the shrapnel pierced the tank and core !

wOnDeRfUl !!

Took tons off at work and home with my chanel locks and my one pair of pliers.Shop had the cable tool and it works good.Used it when the clamps were a pain to get to.Harbor freight has the cable one.Rocky

rOcKs .. I checked HF ... zip. How do they title it ?

Clamp pliers in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ahuOiAwc4

Gotta get one. A little cheaper on E-bay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/24-Oil-Fue...-for-Spring-Flat-Hose-Clamp/401852660742

This is what we used in the assembly plants when we needed to remove a spring type hose clamp.
They're much stronger than the K-D tools version (we had both).
http://www.angloamericantools.com/tool_manufacturers/hazet/hose_clamp_pliers.html



The tips can be turned for accessing hard to reach clamps where you aren't coming straight on (must be done from the side).

The clamp pliers look like they have their drawbacks too.